About a week ago, I published the first part of how to overcome a sheltered upbringing and it turned out to be a success as I figured there are many people out there interested in this topic and also find it relatable. I want to thank you all for checking it out and showing me some love on my website as a whole. It means the world to me to share my thoughts with you all and I love the way you all embrace it. As promised, here is the second part of how to overcome a sheltered upbringing, and I hope it’s as helpful as the first one.
Expand Your Horizons & Take Risks
Exploring what’s beyond your knowledge is such a mind-opening experience. Go meet with people from different cultures, learn a new language, hang out with people who aren’t in your bubble, travel, read, explore more hobbies, move to a different city. Just explore the world, and you will simply learn how to express yourself through that. Open your mind to new things.
Traveling is such a great way to explore the world. That’s why I will be writing more about my travel experiences in the future. However, you don’t always need to be far away to learn new things. Learn around those who rarely judge you, those who understand where you are coming from, those who almost feel no sense of pity for you, but want to have fun with you as you learn. There are people who actually give you the chance to shine your light among them. Yes, they do exist! Don’t forget to explore on your own though.
Break through your Challenges & Find your Independence
College is a great place to practice independence. I understand it’s extremely difficult to know where to start, but you have to start somewhere. Don’t be scared to finally go check the mail by yourself, or join the sports club you’ve always wanted to be part of. It’s your life now and you own it. Take walks if you need to. No one will stop you from doing that when you are no longer sheltered.
Learn New Coping Skills to Control Your Emotions
Learning a few coping skills will help you become the strong person you’ve always wanted to become. This is a bit hard, but as you grow into becoming your greatest version, you will find ways to handle yourself better and tackle any social issues and responsibilities the world throws at you. You don’t need to throw several tantrums to prove that you are hurting. You don’t need to shut yourself down in social gatherings. Think of it this way – you are already enough and just trying to navigate through this world with some more experience. Please remember that.
Related: How to Overcome a Sheltered Upbringing (Part 1)
Take Care of Your Mental Health Before Depression Takes Over You
This period of your life can be extremely overwhelming. Not knowing how to navigate through the world can cause so much loneliness, both physically and emotionally. You may not have any friends to help you through this and it’s the worst feeling ever. You still have the chance to find yourself and you don’t always need to do that through social settings. Explore your hobbies and you will find people to enjoy life with.
Consult A Good Advisor or A Therapist
Even if it’s a close friend or a random stranger, you can get the chance to hear about other people’s experiences which may be similar to yours. This helps to make you feel like you are not alone. You will feel a sense of relief if you give yourself a chance to share your feelings with another person. This is usually a sensitive topic to bring up and others might shut you down by justifying that you may understand all this when you become a parent. That completely disregards the fear you go through on a daily basis to finding yourself. Not having your own identity sucks and you don’t need anyone to water down your emotional trauma. Please seek people who will listen and advise you correctly to help you navigate though this journey.
This can also help understand the minds of those who raised you. It is very hard to do this, but once you start to give yourself the chance to just listen, you can gradually allow yourself to slowly forgive the past. It helps to point out insecurities that you might need to work on to conquer your fear and to be the mature adult that you need to be.
Related: Signs You’ve Fully Been Sheltered from the Outside World
Practice, Practice, Practice Your Social Skills
Public speaking won’t suddenly come to you. The fear of doing anything won’t just go away. It’s a learning process. If you’ve always been good at public speaking, consider yourself lucky. An anxious and shy sheltered child has a long way to go. Practice your social skills like you are a kid again. Be curious.
It’s important for me to emphasize on the importance of overcoming a sheltered upbringing because being too naïve in this world could cost you dearly. Overcoming a sheltered childhood is a long journey and I haven’t met anyone who has easily overcome it. Sometimes you’ll be angry at your past. Sometimes you’ll be happy to see how far you’ve come. There will be so many challenges yet so many beautiful moments you’ll be proud of. No matter what it takes, finding yourself is a long term goal and doable, but the only thing that will keep you going is yourself.
Think of it this way; you have so much to explore in this world. Go out there and live your life. Don’t you feel free? You better celebrate! Best of luck to you!
SHOP THE LOOK
Thank you so much for reading!
Check out how to overcome a sheltered upbringing (part 1) here.
Check out the 6 signs you’ve fully been sheltered from the outside world here.
Check out 8 ways to start off the new year with a positive mindset here.
Check out the 20 valuable lessons I’ve learn in my 20’s (part 1) here.
Check out the 20 valuable lessons I’ve learn in my 20’s (part 2) here.
Check out the 25 lessons I learned before turning 25 here.
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